Diakon PASOS program

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Diakon PASOS program

Unite with us and Global Refuge in our shared commitment to protect and foster unaccompanied children seeking refuge and a new beginning in the United States.

05/11/2026

We want to share an important update regarding Diakon’s Pasos program.

Diakon’s Pasos program, operated through our partnership with Global Refuge, has served unaccompanied minors through funding provided by a federal grant. We have recently learned that this grant was not renewed, which means the Pasos program will no longer continue in its current form.

While this decision was outside of Diakon’s control, we recognize the impact this transition may have on children, families, staff, and community partners connected to the program.

Our immediate focus is ensuring thoughtful support for those most directly affected. We are working closely with Global Refuge to ensure the child in care is transitioned safely, with their well-being our top priority throughout the process.

We are also actively exploring opportunities within Diakon for impacted staff members, recognizing the dedication, compassion, and expertise they have brought to this work.

We are deeply grateful to the families, staff, partners, and supporters who helped make this program possible and who opened their hearts to children in need of safety and stability.

While one funding stream may change, Diakon’s commitment to offering help and hope to children, youth, families, individuals, and seniors remains strong.

04/09/2026

For these PASOS foster parents, the decision to welcome unaccompanied youth into their homes began with a simple desire: “to help and support them” and to give children who have spent too long in shelters “a home where they can be safe and loved.” While each family entered the experience with understandable concerns, ranging from cultural differences to uncertainty about behaviors, they found confidence in knowing they were supported by staff who listened and helped match youth thoughtfully to their home.

What stayed with them most were the small but powerful moments of connection. One foster parent reflected on how meaningful it was to watch a youth experience ordinary family routines for the first time, sharing, “She is now able to experience what sitting at a table for dinner is; she didn’t have that before.” Another described seeing a guarded child gradually open up. These everyday milestones became reminders of how deeply a caring home can shape a child’s sense of belonging.

Their message to others is both honest and heartfelt: fostering is not easy, and it asks for patience, flexibility, and real commitment. “Those children need 100% of your time,” one parent shared, emphasizing the importance of being ready for the responsibility. Yet both agree that when families are prepared to make that commitment, the reward is profound—the chance to create safety, trust, and lasting impact in the life of a child who needs it most.

03/05/2026

Spring and summer bring so many community events, and they’re great opportunities to connect with people who might be thinking about fostering or adopting.

We’re always looking for places where we can set up a small information table, share resources, and start conversations with people who may not realize how great the need is for foster and adoptive families—especially for older youth and children who need a safe, supportive home.

Do you know of any upcoming events where Diakon Adoption & Foster Care could set up a table?
Festivals, fairs, community days, church events, school events, or local markets are all great possibilities.

When more people learn about foster care and adoption, more children have the chance to find stability, support, and a place to belong.

If you know of an event we should consider, please drop it in the comments or send us a message. Your suggestion could help us connect with the family a child has been waiting for. 💙

02/17/2026

Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day, a reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be big to matter.

At Diakon, we talk about DiaKINDNESS as a way of showing up with kindness, inclusion, neighborliness, and dependability in everyday interactions. We believe those small moments matter because they shape how people feel when they walk through our doors, ask for help, or trust someone to walk alongside them.

Here’s to carrying a little more kindness into the rest of the day!

01/29/2026

At Diakon, our mission is rooted in compassion, dignity, and care for all people. Recent immigration enforcement activity in communities across the country has caused fear, uncertainty, and deep concern for many individuals and families we serve and care about.

We remain committed to serving people from all walks of life with respect and dignity. Our focus remains on offering help, hope, and support to children, families, individuals, and seniors navigating complex, often stressful circumstances.

We encourage everyone to prioritize safety and seek reliable information and trusted community resources. For those who may be looking for general information, the National Immigration Law Center (https://www.nilc.org/resources/) offers educational resources related to immigration topics.

Individuals who wish to learn more about how to contact their elected officials regarding immigration-related issues may also find helpful information through official government websites, such as https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials.

Diakon will continue to stand as a place of support, understanding, and connection.

01/19/2026

Dr. King believed in the power of ordinary people doing good work.

Today and every day, let's honor that by continuing to serve others with care, respect, and compassion.

01/08/2026

Awareness, prevention, and strong community connections are the focus of Human Trafficking Prevention Month each January. At its heart, it’s about looking out for one another and making sure help is available when it’s needed. The month highlights the importance of prevention, education, and access to trusted support.

That focus on support and stability connects directly to the work of programs like the Diakon PASOS program. This York-region program provides long-term foster care for unaccompanied children. These children often arrive with limited support and face language, cultural, educational, legal, and health-related barriers. Diakon is uniquely positioned to offer holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive care. PASOS helps address the challenges by surrounding these children with stability, care, and connection.

If you’d like to learn more, we invite you to join us for an upcoming PASOS foster care information online session on January 15 to learn about the program, ask questions, and explore whether this might be a fit for you. There’s no commitment, just a chance to learn and see how you could make a difference in 2026.

Please email Josh at [email protected] for more information about our Pasos program or to register for an info session. And please feel free to share this information with others!

10/28/2025

Our refreshed Diakon logo officially launched! While the look is new, our mission and values remain the same.

Why the change? Because first impressions matter. We’ve heard from people who are unsure if Diakon was open to them because of their faith background. The truth is, we’ve always been here for everyone—children, youth, families, adults, and seniors from all walks of life.

This update follows months of thoughtful planning, including professional design feedback and final approval from our Board of Directors. Our new design, with its welcoming starburst, is a symbol of hope shining bright and a promise that all are welcome. Each of our programs also has an updated logo that connects back to our Diakon brand, showing we are one united mission.

As you begin to see this new look across signs and materials, remember what hasn’t changed - our heart for serving people and offering help and hope to all.🔅

07/24/2025

Today is International Self-Care Day, a reminder that taking care of yourself is not a luxury; it's a necessity.

Even small acts of self-care can make a big difference in how we show up for others. When we care for ourselves regularly, we’re better able to support our families, coworkers, and communities, too.

What’s one thing you can do today just for you?

Address

York, PA
17403

Telephone

+17178459113

Website

https://www.diakon.org/adoption/services/pasos-program/

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